In a bid to fast track the long pending Rs 3500 crore Shamuka beach tourism project, the state government has decided to commence work soon on boundary wall construction at Sipasarubali, near Puri town.
Though Sai Smruti Infrastructure Ltd, a contractor has been engaged for the job, work could not take off due to protests by the locals.
Now, it has been decided to carry on the boundary wall work amid police protection.
In a recent meeting, it has been decided to commence the boundary wall work after arrival of the log laden cart of Lord Jagannath in Puri in connection with the Nabakalebara festival.
The state's agency for land acquisition and infrastructure development, Odisha Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (Idco) plans to start work from May 22. "It is requested to allow deployment of police force from from May 22 for a period of one month to enable us to carry out the construction work", said a letter from Idco to Puri collector Aravind Agarwal. Agarwal could not be reached for his comments.
The Shamuka tourism project will come up on around 3000 acres of land in all. The project is being developed near Sipasarubali, about 10 km south of Puri on the public-private partnership (PPP) mode.
The state government had lined up an investment of Rs 120 crore on external infrastructure like water supply, electricity and roads for the project.
The tourism department has decided to execute the Shamuka tourism complex in a phased manner.
Though the project was initially conceived 25 years ago, it has hardly showed any sign of taking off at the ground level.
In the first phase, bids will be opened for four five star hotels and a golf course after obtaining necessary approval from the appropriate authority.
The three five star hotels will be spread over an area of 20 acres each while the fourth one will be established on 40 acres of land. Similarly, bids will be invited for a golf course with golf villas covering 304 acres of land in the first phase of implementation.
Apart from the four five star hotels, the Shamuka complex would have facilities like a convention centre of international standard with a seating capacity of nearly 1,500, boutique hotels, international spa and wellness centres, an entertainment zone and sports facilities.
